G/TBT/GEN/353  
 
6 June 2023  
(23-3841) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECLARATION ON STRENGTHENING REGULATORY COOPERATION  
TO REDUCE TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE  
SUBMISSION BY CHINA  
The following communication, received on 5 June 2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of  China . 
 
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1.  We acknowledge that the work of the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade 
(TBT Committee) has been instrumental in advancing the implementation of the Agreement on 
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement) a nd keeping the TBT Agreement dynamic since 1995. 
In this regard, we recognize the good practices developed by the TBT Committee in the areas of 
transparency and notifications, managing trade interests ( e.g. specific trade concerns), decisions 
and recommend ations, information  exchange ( e.g. thematic sessions)  and efficient use of digital 
tools (e.g. ePing; eAgenda) .  
2.  We reaffirm that the TBT Agreement remains relevant to modern global trade challenges, 
including measures taken to address climate change and global health pandemics. The TBT 
Agreement provides a unique multilateral framework for regulatory cooperation tha t is essential to 
avoid and reduce  unnecessary barriers to trade. We note, for example, that close regulatory 
cooperation among Members was fundamental in addressing the COVID -19 pandemic by facilitating 
trade through the reduction or suspension of unneces sary regulatory barriers, use of international 
standards or recognition of multiple standards, and decreasing unnecessary costs.  
3.  We also recognize the important role of regulatory cooperation in disseminating good regulatory 
practices for both developed a nd developing Members.  
4.  We recall  that the TBT Committee was established with the explicit mandate of affording Members 
the opportunity to consult on any matters relating to the operation of the TBT Agreement.1 In this 
regard, we seek to promote and furth er enhance the Committee 's role in the area of engaging in 
international regulatory cooperation  within the scope of this Agreement .  
5.  In light of the above, the Ministerial Conference:  
a. Affirms that regulatory cooperation helps to avoid  and reduce  unnecessary barriers to 
trade. Cooperation builds confidence between trading partners through mutual 
understanding and dialogue. This contributes to the development of effective and efficient 
regulations and avoids regulatory fragmentation and unnecessary  divergence ; 
b. Notes  that cooperation on emerging issues – particularly in the context of international 
standards development - provides opportunity to promote regulatory convergence, as 
appropriate . In this respect, we encourage the Committee to promote the  dissemination 
and use of Committee Decision regarding the six principles of international standards , 
Guides and Recommendations2; 
 
1 Article 13.1 of the TBT Agreement.  
2 G/TBT/1/Rev.15 , page 68.  G/TBT/GEN/353  
 
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  c. Encourages  Members to  engage early in exchange of comments on draft regulations and 
signal willingness to engage in regulatory cooperation in order to identify and mitigate 
potential regulatory incompatibilities or frictions before they become fixed in regulation;  
d. Urges  the Committee to enhance its Member -driven work on immediate and emerging 
regulatory challenges, incl uding but not limited to the areas of climate change, sustainable 
development , digital economy,  and MSMEs, and stresses  the importance of promoting 
dialogue between Members, including among competent authorities ;  
e. Underlines  the importance of transparency as a key building block for constructive 
engagement and encourages continued refinement of related Committee notifications and 
use of digital tools to improve the global  business environment ; 
f. Encourages  Members, as a means of enhancing business certainty a nd access to 
regulatory information, to implement the TBT Committee recommendation on notification 
of adopted final text of measures3; 
g. Promotes  the further development and enhancement of digital tools , including ePing and 
eAgenda , for early engagement on TBT matters;  
h. Stresses  the importance of technical assistance and capacity building to address 
challenges facing developing Members , especially in the area of transparency and quality 
infrastructure; and,  
i. Promotes international recognition arrangements for  accreditation, which can facilitate the 
acceptance of conformity assessment procedures.  
6.  The Ministerial Conference instructs the TBT Committee to advance work on these points in the 
context of the Tenth Triennial Review of the TBT Agreement based on propo sals from Members, as 
well as in the context of existing work streams (e.g. regular meetings, thematic sessions, informal 
meetings and working groups as necessary), and report on results to the fourteenth Ministerial 
Conference with recommendations, as app ropriate.  
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3 G/TBT/1/Rev.15 , page 43.